426 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



blocks of clay slate. About ten o'clock we reached the snow, which does 

 not cover the whole apex of the mountain, neither does it always lie in the 

 deeper or more shadowed spots, but in patches, which we were frequently 

 obliged to cross : the ground was sodden with wet, and unpleasant in the 

 extreme to walk over. We plainly perceived that our difficulties would 

 have proved much greater, had we made the attempt earlier in the year. 



A violent storm of hail, thunder, and lightning saluted us as we 

 reached the top, and prevented our distinguishing more than that the 

 heavy snows on our right extended a considerable distance. I shall say 

 no more of the storm than that, at such a place, a more unplea- 

 sant and disheartening occurrence could not well be imagined. Our 

 guides appeared much frightened, and they went scampering down the 

 most villanous ground we ever saw, while we followed sinking to the 

 ankles in a sodden mass of rotten leaves and moss, and pushing our way 

 with difficulty through the thick fern. The lightning set fire to one of the 

 fir trees on the opposite height, and we could long distinguish it burn- 

 ing In the pass, we found a sad proof of the truth of the statements 

 respecting loss of life, which has generally befallen a party making 

 the passage. I picked up a skull said to be that of a Singfo. Very 

 much to our annoyance we learned, from some of the party joined from the 

 rear, that two of Lieutenant Burlton's men had lain down and refused to 

 move on. They were brothers, and one of them, though not himself com- 

 plaining, had determined to remain by the other, who was overcome by mere 

 fatigue ; to assist them was impossible ; carry them we could not, even 

 had we rice sufficient to enable the people to bring them on at a slow rate. 

 We halted on the Phimgan river, near the courseof which we had descend- 

 ed from its sources, but it was of considerable size when we first saw it. 

 It continued to rain very heavily the next morning, and we marched much 

 later than usual. We were anxious to halt altogether for the day, to let 

 the unfortunate men come up, and to recruit the strength and spirits of 



